Dancing Through Time

“Giselle!”

As the bustling of rehearsal was underway, Giselle barely caught the call of her name and a wave from her friend, Audrey. The dark haired woman glided through the people with ease that any successful dancer would have. “Giselle, I just heard you were offered the spot for Odette and you passed it up.” Her arms crossed over her chest, hip popped as she glowered at her friend.

“Oh, you know me. I prefer tragic love stories over Swan Lake.”

“I think you just like being in a performance that has your name as the title.” Audrey smirked as she teased.

“So, I assume they gave you the part?”

“Well, naturally, but I like Odile. They gave me that instead. I think they’re asking Carly to be Odette.”

“Wise choice.” Giselle smiled as she finished wrapping her pointe shoes. Flexing her ankles, to make sure they were stable, she threw out a hand to Audrey. Helping her friend to her feet, she held her hand and she gave a twirl.

“Well,” Audrey started, “it would be nice to see you flourish in other dances. Terpischore blessed you.”

“Oh, Audrey, you and the Greek Gods.” Waving her hand dismissively the darker haired woman shrugged and kissed Giselle on the cheek.

“Toodles, Gez. Good luck tonight. See you tomorrow!”

“Don’t forget to embody the Black Swan, fully.” Giselle shouted after her friend before she disappeared into the mass of bodies. Straightening her shoulders she left stage right and swept herself on stage to practice.

~***~

“Réunir! Gather everyone. Tonight we decide if we continue with the work of Giselle as our performance. Danse avec ton cœur!”

“Monique forgets we don’t fucking know french.” A disgruntled dancer spoke at Giselle as she intently watched the artistic director do last minute once overs.

Absentmindedly the lead dancer responded, “She said dance with our hearts.” Then, in a way that Giselle did not normally carry herself, her face became hard as she rounded on the other dancer. “And you better fucking not miss a step. If we lose this dance being a showrunner, I’ll end your career.” The young girl flinched and stepped back. Looking around to see if anyone had noticed Giselle’s quiet outburst she found herself nodding as Giselle added, “Good luck!” With a smile that scrunched her nose as she gave a half handed wave.

Once the music swelled, Giselle’s eyes glassed over as she watched the dancers flourish. As her que was set she swept onto the stage hitting every mark. Two spins and something else took over her body as her vision went dark.

~***~

Giselle breathed deep as the new sounds and smells surrounded her. This was her home. She hated leaving this timeline. She hated leaving the music, the laughter and the food. This was a time of romance and care for the arts! Most of all, she hated leaving Albrecht. She lived in a time when Medieval Germany was an exuberant chunk of the cosmos. Before things went to shit. Straightening her green bodice and fluffing out the thick skirts, Giselle went to find her Duke while she had time. He should be waiting at their meeting place.

Maneuvering through the crowds she spotted the barn where they always met. Exhilaration and joy radiated off of her body as she picked up on the German language around her and burst through the barn doors. “Albrecht!” Her heart sank as the man was nowhere to be found. Cradling her middle she felt despair and chewed her lip as she tried to avoid thinking about the time slipping away.

“Oh, Giselle!” A shocked scream gave way to a delighted squeal as Albrecht wrapped his arms from behind and around her waist. “Meine liebe.” He kissed her cheek. “I hate this time apart.”

“I do as well, my love. And soon I am going to have to find another way to you. I fear we are losing the show as a frontrunner.” Albrecht sucked in air in shock. Spinning Giselle towards him he caressed her face with the back of his fingers.

“We will find a way around this. I’ll ask the Kobold for help.” He gave a weak smile. “Come, we must not waste time.” Tugging on her arm, Giselle laughed as he pulled her to a ladder within the barn. “Up you go my heart. A surprise awaits you!” Kissing his lips, Giselle climbed the ladder and gasped at the sight. So many candles were placed in a half circle. Meats, pastries and cheeses were displayed on an expensive cloth. A man with a fiddle stared at her happily.

“No better way to spend this time than with dance.” Albrecht held out a hand. As she took it, the fiddle started and they twirled into a joyous dance that lasted for, what felt like, ages. As Giselle was spun near the end of their dance, eyes closed in bliss, a tear fell down her cheek as she opened them. Her arms were raised above her head and the audience cheered.